Immediate Effects of Improved Hospital Enviroment on Behaviour Patterns of Mentally Handicapped Patients
F. E. JAMES M.D., M.R.C.Psych., D.C.H.1,
D. A. SPENCER M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.Psych., F.R.S.H.2, and
MAX HAMILTON M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.Psych.3
1 Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield, Yorkshire
2 Meanwood Park Hospital, Leeds, Yorkshire
3 Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Leeds
In 1972 three old hospitals were closed and patients transferred to a new hospital for the mentally handicapped. Four to six weeks before transfer, disturbed and a sample of non-disturbed patients were rated on a selected scale; they were again rated four to six weeks after transfer. The disturbed patients numbered 39 per cent of the total and both men and women shared a significant improvement, though the men did not improve to the same extent as the women. There was also a significant improvement among the non-disturbed patients, though this did not apply to the epileptic patients.
Submitted on August 27, 1974
